Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ star forward, is now eight goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. Ovechkin scored his 887th career goal in a recent game against the San Jose Sharks, bringing him closer to the mark.
Ovechkin entered the current season with 853 career goals and started strong, scoring 15 goals in the first 18 games. After missing five weeks due to injury, he returned to action and scored four goals in his first five games back.
The Capitals superstar’s chase for Gretzky’s record has taken on a new dimension, as Ovechkin has partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to launch “THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer.” The campaign will see Ovechkin donate a dollar amount equal to his career goal total for each goal he scores for the rest of his career. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, will match every donation.
Ovechkin’s next opportunity to break the record is on April 12 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gretzky recently expressed confidence in Ovechkin’s chances, saying “It’s just a matter of time, whether it’s late this year, early next year, whenever.”
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Gretzky’s record, fans can track his progress and catch him in action on the ice. The Capitals’ remaining regular-season games are listed below:
* Tuesday, March 18: vs. Detroit
* Thursday, March 20: vs. Philadelphia
* Saturday, March 22: vs. Florida
* Tuesday, March 25: at Winnipeg
* Thursday, March 27: at Minnesota
* Sunday, March 30: vs. Buffalo
* Tuesday, April 1: at Boston
* Wednesday, April 2: at Carolina
* Friday, April 4: vs. Chicago
* Sunday, April 6: at Islanders
* Thursday, April 10: vs. Carolina
* Saturday, April 12: at Columbus
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/article/alex-ovechkin-goals-tracker-the-great-eight-is-8-away-from-breaking-wayne-gretzkys-all-time-record-of-894-170506235.html